Worship for Easter Sunday – April 12, 2020

Still, our hearts are full of hope for today as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, we know that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I look forward to studying God’s word together this morning at 10:00 am through zoom. We reflect on Mark 15:40-16:20.

I invite us to unite our hearts in worship today and offer to you the following service outline. I have recorded a message from Luke 24:1-12.

This is the final sermon in our series that has focused the final 24 hours of Jesus’s life. Thank you all for your prayerful support. I believe this recording turned out better than my previous attempt. I still have a long way to go – so keep those prayers coming.

Again, I have added links to hymns in hopes of enhancing our worship. To hear the hymns and the message, simply click on the titles. The blue links will redirect you to youtube.com and likely will display an advertisement first.

We praise you, O God, as our hearts unite and exclaim, Alleluia! Your saving love is revealed in the resurrection of our Lord. We await with gladness you new creation. As you have raised Jesus from dead, give us also new life today. We put our full hope in you knowing that your love will lead us in ways of everlasting life. Through our risen Lord, we pray. Amen.

Morning Lesson: Colossians 3:1-4

Pastoral Prayer: (I invite you to add your specific prayers in the pauses (. . .) throughout this prayer.)

Almighty God, you have broken the darkness of death with the light of your love. We celebrate our victor, Christ the Lord, and beseech your throne of grace. We pray today for your church throughout the world; unite us as we worship our Risen Savior. Renew our faith and strengthen our witness. . .

Hear our prayer for our planet and the rich resource you have given to humankind. Make us wise. Grant us creativity and understanding as we seek to share and conserve earth’s riches so that all generous may enjoy the gift you gave in creation. . .

Today we pray for the governments of the world and their leaders; in particular our own president, governor, representatives and senators. Fill them with your compassion. Grant them your wise counsel. Empower them with your tenderness so that all people may know your peace. . .

Father in heaven, we bring before you all who are sick, suffering, and in distressed; we pray for the assurance of your presence and the promise of your peace. May each one discover healing from their pain and be restored to wholeness of life and livelihood. . .

We pray for the poor and the stranger. Grant that they may discover a place of refuge, hope, and hospitality among your people. . . For our neighbors and friends as they celebrate the joys of life; we too share in their joy, grateful for the ways we are connected and the community you are crafting among us. . . For our enemies, we ask for your peace to unite us. Shine your love and light on us all. Grant us courage to look past our offenses, ask for forgiveness, and take steps towards reconciliation. . .

Gracious God, by the power revealed in the resurrection, we know that all things are possible with you. Raise us anew to be your grace-filled people. In all our ways we, trust you as we now offer the prayer Jesus taught his disciples, saying . . . Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and glory, forever. Amen.